When selecting the type of pressure-drop distributor for air conditioners with good distribution performance

the divergence of the distribution uniformity among the existing types of pressure-drop distributors should be checked. In this study

an experimental rig for testing the distribution homogeneity of distributors was designed and established. Thereafter

the distribution unevenness of existing reflection-type

jet loop-type

Venturi-type

and filter-type distributors were measured and compared. The testing conditions include a refrigerant volumetric flow rate of 32–125 L/h and a vapor quality of 0.15–0.22

which represent the normal operating conditions of room air conditioners. The installation angle of the distributor between the central axis of the distributor and the vertical direction ranged from 0° to 90°. The results demonstrate that a large mass flow rate of the inlet refrigerant or the vertical installation of the distributor is beneficial to distribution uniformity. The filter-type distributor exhibited good distribution uniformity under various experimental conditions

with a distribution unevenness of less than 0.05. Thus

the filter-type distributor is most suitable for air conditioners.